Roy Keane Teases Gary Neville Over “Blue Billion Pound Bottle Jobs” Comment
Former Manchester United legend Roy Keane has playfully criticized Gary Neville for his comment about Chelsea being “blue billion pound bottle jobs” during the Carabao Cup final. Neville made the remark after Chelsea conceded a late goal to Liverpool, despite having expensive players on the field. Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, labeled the comment as “unfair” during a press conference.
During an episode of Sky Bet’s Stick to Football Podcast, Keane couldn’t resist teasing Neville about his comment. When discussing score predictions, Keane jokingly said, “You bottled it,” causing laughter in the room.
In the podcast, Neville expressed that he was not proud of his comment. He explained that he felt the need to say it because he believed Chelsea had played with fear and froze during extra time. However, he admitted that upon reflection, he did not feel proud of the remark and regretted personalizing comments in the past.
Keane added that freezing or bottling can happen to any team, citing examples from his own career. He mentioned instances when Manchester United and his own team had experienced similar situations. Keane emphasized that using the term “bottle jobs” does not imply cowardice but rather describes a team’s inability to perform under pressure.
The playful banter between Keane and Neville adds some light-heartedness to the debate surrounding Neville’s comment. While Pochettino found it unfair, it is clear that Neville has reflected on his choice of words and acknowledged his reservations about using such strong language.
The incident serves as a reminder that even sports pundits can sometimes get caught up in the heat of the moment. It also highlights the importance of choosing words carefully when making public statements, particularly when criticizing professional athletes.
In conclusion, while Neville’s comment caused a stir, it is evident that he has taken the time to reflect on it and express his regrets. As for Keane, his teasing of Neville demonstrates their friendly relationship and adds a touch of humor to the conversation.